Galaxy Brownies feature swirls of colorful blondie with star speckled, fudgy brownie. Appropriately, this chewy, chocolate deliciousness is “out of this world”!
Looking for super fudgy, chewy brownies without flour? Next time try Flourless Fudge Brownies.
Why you'll love this recipe
These space inspired treats start with a chewy, fudgy layer of super chocolaty brownie. Then, instead of frosting, which can melt or get crushed in a care package, these brownies are topped with a colorful swirl of blondie.
Intergalactic colors are added with a layer of vanilla blondie dough. Star-like sprinkles add sparkle.
Fans of astronomy and chocolate will be delighted with these double decker bars.
Ingredients
- all-purpose flour
- baking cocoa
- baking powder
- salt
- espresso powder
- butter-flavored vegetable shortening Crisco
- granulated white sugar
- large eggs
- white mini chocolate chips
- semi-sweet mini chocolate chips
- white chocolate broken into chunks
- vanilla extract
- Food coloring gel
- Galaxy Sprinkles
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. The full instructions are in the recipe card below.
- For the homemade brownies layer, whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, salt and espresso powder in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- Use a stand mixer to combine the shortening, sugar, and eggs. Beat until light in color and fluffy (about 3 minutes). Gradually add in the dry ingredients mixture, until combined.
- Stir in the white and semi-sweet chips.
- Divide the batter in half and spread one half of the brownie batter evenly into each prepared pan.
- For Color Swirl Blondie Layer, break the white chocolate bars into chunks then place the white chocolate and shortening into a medium sized microwave safe bowl. Heat in the microwave at 50% power until melted.
- With a stand mixer, beat eggs until foamy (about 3 minutes).Mix in sugar, vanilla, and melted chocolate. Add flour and salt and stir until incorporated.
- Divide the batter into 4 sections. One section will remain uncolored. Place each of the other sections into a separate bowl. Add a few drops of food color to each and mix until the colors are uniform.
- Pinch off pieces of blondie dough and scatter randomly across the surface of the brownie batter in both pans until all of the blondie batter is used. Use an offset spatula or spoon to swirl and spread the blondie dough pieces to cover the brownie dough completely.
- Add sprinkles and press them gently into the dough surface with finger tips.
- Lay a sheet of foil across the top of each pan (not touching batter) and bake for 12 minutes covered . Then remove the foil and complete baking for another 15 minutes or until the top is set.
Tips
- I baked my Galaxy Brownies in two 8” square glass baking pans. The smaller size is easier to wrap and fit in a box. Send one pan of brownies and freeze the other for mailing later, or send both pans so that there are plenty of treats to share.
- Another option is to bake this recipe in a rectangular 9”x 13” pan. Brownies baked in the larger pan will be slightly thinner.
Storage
Store the brownies at room temperature in an airtight container or freezer weight ziplock bag for up to 2 weeks.
For longer shipping times, vacuum sealing is recommended.
More brownie recipes
Pumpkin Brownies are rich and chocolaty with warming pumpkin spice. These fudgy brownies are the perfect gluten free Halloween treat.
Sugar Cookie Valentine Brownies are a brownie cookie combination perfect for Valentines day. Sugar cookie hearts top these fudge brownies.
Surprise-Inside Brownies are brownies with a patriotic bonus. This 4th of July treat has red, white, and blue sandwich cookies tucked inside.
White Chocolate Peppermint Christmas Brownies are just like these Galaxy Brownies, but with Christmas colors and flavors.
My experience with this recipe
When I began writing Monday Box recipes 5 years ago, I did research about recipes recommended for military care packages. That is when I first heard of “desert safe recipes” for safe hot weather shipping.
Desert safe recipes use ingredients that are least likely to cause mold or spoilage. I wrote to the food science experts at BestFoodFacts.org and asked for their input.
When asked what sweetener was least likely to promote mold, Dr. Londa Nwadike, the state extension consumer food safety specialist for Kansas State University, answered:
“White sugar has a lower moisture content and generally has a longer shelf life than brown sugar and powdered sugar, so yes, products made with white sugar should generally be less likely to mold than products made with brown sugar. The inclusion of sugar in a recipe will lower its water activity, which helps to extend shelf life.”
I also asked what fat was most desert safe for baking and was told that due to it’s higher melting point, vegetable shortening (Crisco)is shelf stable at room temperature and should be less likely to go rancid than butter or margarine.
I choose to be super cautious when sending military care packages and in the hot months I use only hot weather safe recipes in the boxes. These are the best brownies to enjoyed in any weather.
There is no possibility of melted frosting, because Galaxy Brownies are gorgeous and delicious without frosting. All of the color and bling are built right into the blondie-brownie bar!
These celestial treats are part of a themed military care package I sent off this week to celebrate an international holiday that falls at the beginning of May. Can you guess? No, not Cinco de Mayo.
The only hint I will give you, is that this holiday is not only international, it’s intergalactic. Check back in a few days for my next post with package details and special themed cookies.
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Galaxy Brownies
Ingredients
Brownie layer
- 1 ½ all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder I use Whole Foods 365 brand, Fair Trade cocoa
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon espresso powder
- ⅔ cup butter-flavored vegetable shortening Crisco
- 2 cups granulated white sugar
- 4 large eggs
- ½ cup white mini chocolate chips I use Whole Foods 365 brand, Fair Trade chips
- ½ cup semi-sweet mini chocolate chips I use Whole Foods 365 brand, Fair Trade chips
Colorful swirl blondie layer
- 8 ounces white chocolate broken into chunks
- ½ cup butter flavored vegetable shortening Crisco
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Food coloring gel I used Americolor Violet, Fuschia, and Royal Blue
- 2-4 tablespoons Galaxy Sprinkles nonpareils and jimmies in black, aqua, hot pink, and purple
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Line two 8” x 8” pans with aluminum foil, allowing for a little overhang (for easy lifting later) and spray lightly with non-stick spray.
For Brownie Layer
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, salt and espresso powder. Set aside.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the shortening, sugar, and eggs. Beat until light in color and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
- Gradually add in the flour mixture, until combined.
- Stir in the white and semi-sweet chips.
- Divide the batter in half and spread one half of the brownie mixture evenly into each of the prepared pans.
For Color Swirl Blondie Layer
- Break the white chocolate bars into chunks then place the white chocolate and shortening into a medium sized microwave safe bowl. Heat in the microwave 1 minute at 50% power. Stir. If not completely melted, return to microwave for 10 second intervals at 50% power, stirring between heating, until completely melted and combined. White chocolate burns easily. Though tempting, don’t try to shorten melting time by using full power. Set aside.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat eggs until foamy (about 3 minutes).
- Mix in sugar, vanilla, and melted chocolate.
- Add flour and salt and stir until incorporated.
- The batter will be thick and malleable. Divide the batter into 4 sections. One section will remain uncolored. Place each of the other sections into small bowls. Add a small amount of food color to each and mix until the colors are uniform.
- Pinch off pieces of blondie dough ( 1-2 heaping tablespoons worth) and scatter randomly across the top of the brownie layer in both pans until all of the blondie batter is used.
- Use an rubber spatula or spoon to swirl and spread the blondie dough pieces to cover the brownie dough completely.
- Add sprinkles and press them gently into the dough surface with finger tips.
- Lay a sheet of foil across the top of each pan (not touching batter). The foil should keep the blondie dough from browning and keep the colors vibrant. Bake for 12 minutes covered in a glass baking pan or 22 minutes in a metal baking pan. Then remove the foil and complete baking for another 15 minutes or until the top is set. The top may appear a bit moist, but will firm as the brownies cool to the perfect texture.
- Remove from the oven and cool completely in the pan on a wire rack (about 30 minutes).
- Store Galaxy Brownies at room temperature in an airtight container or freezer weight ziplock bag for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
Nutrition
First Published: April 21, 2017. Last Updated: August 25, 2021. Updated for additional information and better reader experience.
Emma
Hi! These look amazing. Is there any boxed/readymade substitue I could use for the blondie batter?
Wendy Sondov
Hi, Emma. Yes! You can make blondies from a yellow/vanilla cake mix. To one box of cake mix add: 1/4 cup vegetable oil, 1 large egg, and 3-4 tablespoons of milk. That will give you a blondie batter you can add color to and swirl for your Galaxy Brownies.
Emma
Thank you Wendy!! I plan to use a boxed brownie mix too and I’ll try the blondie with a yellow/vanilla one. But since this would be 2 boxed mixes, should I just use the 9 by 13 pan?
Wendy Sondov
I think you could do either two 8" x 8" pans (total 128 square inches) or one 9"x 13" (117 square inches).
Lauren
These look so cute!!! I want to make them for my daughter's space themed birthday, she is so excited. Question- can I use butter instead of Crisco? Would I use the same amount of butter as Crisco? Thank you!
Wendy Sondov
Hi, Lauren. These brownies are perfect for a space themed party! Though I haven't made Galaxy Brownies with butter, I believe you can substitute the same amount of butter for the Crisco. I know for sure that the colorful blondie layer can be made that way (I've used that recipe with butter) but I'm only guessing on the brownie part. You can also use a boxed brownie mix for the bottom layer and just make the colorful layer to add on top before baking. I hope this helps. Happy birthday to your daughter!
Amanda
Would boxed brownie mix along with your blondie topping work?
Wendy Sondov
Hi, Amanda! Yes, I think boxed brownie mix would work just fine! I'd love to hear how it turns out!
Cindy Feingold
Wendy, these are so cheerful. Sure to bring a smile to everyone's face. You have an amazing collection of sprinkles.
Wendy Sondov
Thanks, Cindy! My collection is more of a hoard...and now I've started combining them into mixtures like the combo I used on these bars. Just call me a mad sprinkle scientist! 😉
Linda
Hey Wendy, these are BEAUTIFUL! When I tried to recreate the recipe, I found that my brownies were very underbaked even though I used the same oven temperature and cook time that you used. I was using two 8x8 plans. Did you cook the brownies one pan at a time or did you have them both in the oven together?
Excited to try again! I'm bringing them to a friend's party and I know she'll love the bright colors!
Wendy Sondov
Hi, Linda. I'm sorry you ended up with under baked brownies. How disappointing! I have made this same recipe several times with different top layer colors( Grinch Brownies and Christmas Brownies) and didn't have a problem with under baking. My only problem was the top browning too much which is why I suggest covering the top with foil for the first half of baking. Looking back at the process photos, I see that I used glass Pyrex pans (https://themondaybox.com/grinch-brownies/)only because that is what I have two of. I did bake them both at the same time. I did a quick Google search just now and read that metal pans could take up to 10 additional baking minutes. (https://www.chowhound.com/food-news/53759/glass-vs-metal-baking-pan-what-is-the-difference/). I hope that helps your next batch work perfectly. I am going to amend my colored brownie recipes to explain that time difference!
Erlene
How can you not smile when you look at these brownies?! So fun! Pinned and will be featuring these on tonight's MM party.
Chelc | Inside the Fox Den
Wow, these are so cool! I definitely know some kids (and adults) who would LOVE these. Pinned! Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday!
Danielle
Hello! I want to make these tonight with my girls, for the blondie later the recipe just says 1/2 vegetable shortening.... is that supposed to be 1/2 cup? Thank you!
The Monday Box
Hi, Danielle! Thank you for catching that error in the recipe! It has now been fixed. Yes, the blondie layer is made with 1/2 CUP of vegetable shortening. Also, if you use plain (not butter flavored)shortening, the colors work better. The butter flavored shrtening is yellow and that makes it harder to color the dough for the galaxy effect. I hope you and your girls have fun and enjoy the brownies! 🙂
Danielle
Thanks so much! I did get the plain shortening. I didnt find the exact food coloring gels that you had but we will make it work! Were starting in an hour, ill send ya a pic
Smiling Notes
Omg they look like a work of art! Beyond beautiful!
The Monday Box
Thank you, Sha! They are really easy to create while channeling your inner Picasso! 😉
Alicia Owen
Oh my gosh! How fun are these?! Brownies are my fave too. Thanks for sharing on the Family Joy link up!
The Monday Box
Thanks, Alicia!
Monica
I was thinking Star Wars theme but now I'm trying to figure out what international holiday I'm missing! And I couldn't believe that isn't frosting on top of brownies but a colorful blondie layer. You smart lady! Kudos to you for doing so much research on your military care packages to make sure they're safe. Your hard work and research clearly pays off.
Ashley@CookNourishBliss
Ha! I have no idea what holiday this is you speak of!! lol I am so curious!!
And these brownies are just too much fun! I am such a huge sucker with anything swirled!!
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert
I love how you take so much care in deciding what to send overseas. These are "out of this world" gorgeous and I can't wait to see what holiday you are celebrating. You are a lovely, giving person Wendy. Thanks for all you do for our service men and women.
Carlee
These are so pretty! I love how creative you are and how much thought you put into getting your treats safely to where they are going. It makes me nervous just traveling across town with some of my baked goods!
Chris Scheuer
These are beautiful Wendy and I know anyone would be thrilled to receive them, so much more a soldier, far away from home, on the other side of the world. They make me smile, just looking at them! I know they'll bring lots of smiles!
The Monday Box
Thanks, Chris! No frosting can mean boring, so I was delighted that the colorful blondie dough worked, giving these bars their galaxy pizazz!